Wednesday, February 4, 2009 20:32
Faversham Town Under 18s suffered their first defeat since the 24th September 2008 on Sunday at the hands of Tonbridge Angels. This ended a 10 game winning streak, the under 18s have won 12 out of their 15 competitive games scoring 45 goals in the process.
Now manager Ray Turner gives an insight into the running of the Under 18's and individual players at the mid-point of the Season......
"I must start by saying I haven't made any public statements about the progress of the Under 18 squad this Season, preferring to allow results and performances do their own talking, but I do feel that at this crucial stage of our Season I should explain to all the supporters how far these local boys have come and how proud I am of the whole squad.
It is a pleasure to work with these boys and to see them progress through the Senior sides at Town, from next season onwards the Town will at last, I feel, be spoilt for choice for local players all capable of forming the basis of a successful side.
It is vitally important that a Club our size has a strong youth section but it has taken time, we are now in our 3rd Season since re-forming, however I am proud to say that with 3 Under 18's regularly in the first team squad and the rest all having experienced reserve team football, we are providing the Club with some real foundation with a pool of talented local players that crucially I feel we need to keep hold of and nurture.
The obvious candidates for recognition are Jamie Sparks, Kris Richardson and Carl Hodgson, all of these boys should feel very pleased with their achievements thus far, but importantly they must now demonstrate the drive and ambition and skill to continue their development.
With still 20 League fixtures to get in it is important that we get this right and finish as high up as possible, hopefully come the last few fixtures in May we are challenging for the title. Don't get me wrong the Cups have already provided us with some memorable games, notably winning against Ebbsfleet and Croydon, and a great game against Lewes under lights at Salter's Lane.
With so many games and with under 18 players playing for the first team it is important to plan ahead and work with Justin on the best way with which to use these young players in order to look after them both physically and mentally. Justin and I have regular chats on how best to use these players and still maintain their performance levels, from a selfish point of view you will appreciate that I would like these players every week to give us the best chance of success, but I accept my role is to produce players capable of making that step up to first team football, and ultimately everyone must accept that Justin will do what isright for him and his team,and everyone should support that.
Although we don't always agree, I firmly believe these boys are capable of focusing on both first team and 18's football equally! I would like to thank Justin for his continued support, as we discuss youth player development all the time to see how we can best support the boys progress with senior experience.
I would also like to take this opportunity to say some thank yous, firstly to Kevin Doyle, we are in our second Season together and he is there for every training session and match day, his support and loyalty is absolute, we constantly discuss ways to improve team and individual performance levels, and importantly we agree on how we like to see the boys play.
His support is vital to the smooth running of the Under 18's and is very much appreciated. I would also like to thank Rob Sellens our coach, we discuss what needs to be worked on after Sunday and he puts together well organised and structured sessions that the boys respond really well to.
I would also like to give John Goodwina mention, he is very committed to Faversham Town and I really appreciate how he balances giving the boys reserve team experience but not over playing them, so I am still able to use them for a Sunday. It is a very difficult task preparing a reserve side, often you don't know who is available until late on a Friday and I think John handles this admirably.
The boys would also like to thank Dave, he was there every home game sorting the pitch out and supporting the boys, I hope he will continue to come up and cheer us on!
Because of our committement to local talent, we have built the bulk of this side from the Strike force Under 16 side, we knew then that we had two Season's to work with these players.
Last Season was difficult to take in terms of results, however many of the performances were excellent, but the players lacked a bit of know how and, crucially, belief.
This Season the team play with an air of maturity and their belief has grown immeasurably, so much so that I can say that we are now one of the top sides in Kent.
I believe you have to create a football environment where young players can develop and thrive without fear of failure or mistakes, this I think is what we have created. It is important to remember that we are trying to develop them as a team and as individuals so that they are best prepared for the step-up to senior football.
We have shown them different ways of playing this season, we have defended deep as a team and shown patience before hitting teams on the counter-attack, we have pressed high up the pitch pressurising opponents and playing quickly, we have passed the ball short and played a more direct style - all of this is vital to their knowledge and makes them all more receptive to different ways of playing.
I firmly believe that a young player should be encouraged to express themselves both on and off the pitch, our training sessions include a de-brief of the previous game and a game plan for the forth coming fixture, the players are encouraged to express their views in this forum. It is also important that you as supporters recognise that all players need encouragement in order for them to feel an element of freedom in their play, in particular young players need to be able to make mistakes and not feel isolated by personal criticism, unless well directed and carefully thought out this will only have a detrimental affect on their performance level.
On to the players themselves, many of you will be familiar with Jamie, Kris and Carl because of seeing them representing the first team, you as supporters are probably less aware of the depth of young local talent.
Joe Dart is a very able deputy in goal to Carl, he is a good prospect who will start soon and has another Year with us while Dan Cansick has played all season very well at right back after converting from midfield just this Season.
Matt Wilson has played very capably at left back and centre back, most notably with his performances against Ebbsfleet and Croydon.
A few words for the Skipper Brad Doyle, I can't speak highly enough of him he has shown great maturity and attitude since I first used him in the side as an under 16, he is a great inspiration to the team on the pitch, I feel as though he was unlucky when he got his first team opportunity at a difficult time, he has since bounced back and his performances this season have been his best for the Club.
In midfield Taylor Johanson and Chris Axford have combined in the centre for much of the season, Taylor plays a very disciplined and selfless role extremely effectively whilst Chris has been a great signing for the team, coming back to his local club from Canterbury. He plays a much more dynamic game getting forward at every opportunity, another player on Justin's radar.
Dave Miles plays on the right and I love the way he wants to play the game on the ground, he has a great range of passing skills and crosses exceptionally well, he won the reserve player of the year last season as an under 17!,
Danny Smith has just come in on the left hand side, he is probably technically our best player, comfortable with either foot, he has impressed for the reserves this Season. Liam Gould has just returned from a long period of sustained injury, another player who has impressed Justin.
Up front we have Richard Pennell and Stefan Wall, completely different players, Richard is technically good, strong and effective with his back to the game and capable of a bit of magic, I am very proud of Richard this Season. Stefan has great pace and scares defenders to death with his direct running style, he will be very important to us in the coming weeks.
Then there is Aaron West, he joined us during the Season and I think it's fair to say that he has added a real cutting edge to the team, he is strong and single minded and has scored 9 goals in 8 games for us! Then there is a whole group of talented younger players that deserve a mention, Dan Ellett has been exceptional always affecting the game in a positive way when coming on, Ryan Pioli has come in and done a good job for the team, then there is Tom Smith, Tom Bish, Raf Lanczi-Wilson, Elliot Ling and Billy Croucher each and every one of them has done themselves proud.